Mergers & Acquisitions

Looking to strengthen its network-centric offerings, L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. has acquired Nova Engineering Inc. for $45 million.Nova Engineering designs and builds communications systems for network-centric warfare and technology-driven applications.Following the acquisition, Nova Engineering will be integrated into L-3's command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance business segment.To bolster its information-on-demand business, IBM Corp. has acquired FileNet Corp. for $1.6 billion.FileNet, Costa Mesa, Calif., offers enterprise content management software, which allows better flow of data independent of format, platform or location, thus creating more efficient business processes.IBM estimates the information-on-demand market will grow to a $69 billion opportunity by 2009.With an eye toward building solutions based on services-oriented architectures, IBM Corp. announced plans to acquire MRO Software Inc. of Bedford, Mass., for about $740 million in an all-cash deal.Leveraging MRO software and services-oriented architecture, IBM will build services that let clients manage assets using a single, automated interface.Science Applications International Corp. of San Diego bought Cornerstone Industry Inc., of Alexandria, Va. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Cornerstone specializes in joint doctrine development, the guidelines for coordinating use of U.S. forces, including writing, evaluating and supporting the process. It also offers professional services, e-learning, and computer gaming related to joint doctrine development.